Sturgis, SD – Due to the extreme fire dangers that exist, the Meade County Commission has initiated an immediate county-wide burn ban. The Burn Ban Resolution will remain in effect until it is deemed by the Commission that conditions have improved.

WHEREAS, Meade County has Ordinance No. 27: Regulating Fireworks, Campfires and other Incendiary Devices in MEADE COUNTY; and

WHEREAS, Meade County is suffering from moderate to severe drought conditions due to significantly low moisture, late frost conditions, extreme heat, and strong winds; and

WHEREAS, Meade County has a substantial amount of vegetation and timbered property, increasing the potential fuel for a fire; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) § 7-8-20(18) authorizes the Meade County Commission to prohibit or restrict open burning, after consultation with local fire officials and law enforcement officials, in order to protect the public health and safety; and

WHEREAS, for purposes of this Resolution, Open Fire: Means any outdoor fire, including campfires, that is not contained within a fully enclosed fire box or structure from which the products of combustion are emitted directly to the open atmosphere without passing through a stack, duct or chimney. Open Fire shall not include Charcoal Grills or Liquid Fuel Grills. Open Fire shall not include burn barrels; and

WHEREAS, Counties are only authorized by resolution, to prohibit the use of fireworks outside the boundaries of any municipality under conditions directly related to the SD Grassland fire danger index during the periods from June 20 to July 2, inclusive, and from December 28 to January 1 inclusive, which prohibits the regulation of fireworks by counties during the period from July 3 through the end of the first Sunday after July 4th, regardless of the grassland fire danger during that time period. The Meade County Commission regrets that the State limits our authority to regulate fireworks more strictly; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Meade County, pursuant to SDCL § 7-18A-8, hereby deem it necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health and safety to adopt the restrictions set forth in this Resolution and it is the intent of the Meade County Board of Commissioners that the provisions of this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage by the Board.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Meade County enact this Resolution on an emergency basis and impose a ban to prohibit Open Fire; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Open Fire Ban will be in place until fire conditions improve and the Meade County Commission takes action to remove the ban.

Dated this 28th day of June, 2017

Galen Niederwerder, Chairman

Meade County Commission

ATTEST:

Lisa Schieffer

Meade County Auditor

FIREWORKS INFORMATION

Part of Meade County falls within the Black Hills Fire Protection District and state law prohibits the discharge of fireworks within its boundaries.

STATE LAW

34-37-16.1. Period during which discharge of fireworks permitted–Violation as misdemeanor. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for a person to discharge fireworks in this state except during the period beginning June twenty-seventh and extending through the end of the first Sunday after July fourth and during the period beginning December twenty-eighth and extending through January first. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

34-37-19. County regulation of fireworks–Use of South Dakota grassland fire danger index. Any county may, by resolution, regulate or prohibit the use of fireworks outside the boundaries of any municipality in those areas where the fire danger, as determined by use of the South Dakota grassland fire danger index published by the National Weather Service, has reached the extreme category in that county during the period from June twentieth to July second, inclusive, and during the period from December twenty-eighth to January first, inclusive. During any such period, the county’s action is suspended if the grassland fire danger index falls below the very high category and again becomes effective if the grassland fire danger index reaches the extreme category.

MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN MEADE COUNTY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SET THEIR OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS ON THE USE OF FIREWORKS:

Faith: Fireworks are allowed within the city. Fireworks at the lake are yet to be determined by the Fire Department. Determination should be made on Friday, June 30th. Please call the City of Faith for more information at: 605-967-2261

Piedmont: Fireworks are allowed outside of the Black Hills Fire Protection District. Public Display at The Barn July 4th

Sturgis: Fireworks are allowed within the City at selected dates and times